Page 10 of Enchanting the Elf
“Wow,” I breathe as the view steals the air from me. My lungs inflate again with the fresh forest scent caressing my senses, goose bumps skittering across my arms in the brisk morning air. In front of me is a sight I’m committing to memory, my hands itching with the need to capture it with thread.
From on top of the mountain, a valley stretches out before me, the undulating slopes painted in charcoal and onyx as the first glimmer of light starts to peek over the horizon. Early morning mist hugs the treetops down below and wispy tendrils reach into the hazy sky alight with hues of dark lavender, antique mauve, and light plum.
“It’s magnificent,” I whisper more to myself than Adelbert, awe wrapping around my words as I bask in the beauty of the predawn sky.
“Yes, I suppose it is,” Adelbert mutters, lifting his head briefly to take in the view before trudging past me.
I don’t take offense to his brusque nature, it rather seems to be an inherent part of him, and it’s most probably only exacerbated by everyone relying on him to solve a problem he had no part in creating.
Adelbert is equally as blameless as I am, yet I can see that he holds himself responsible for everything that transpired on the island. I can’t imagine the immense pressure he is putting on himself, but I will try my best to help him and ease his burdens however I can.
Like a beacon in the dim light, Adelbert’s perfectly styled platinum-blond hair beckons me to follow him down the path leading into the thick forest.
“Time is of the essence, Florence.”
“Of course. Sorry.” I give my head a small shake, feeling selfish for taking precious time, and hurry after him into the waking forest.
The gentle call of birds, the trickling of a small stream, and the serene whooshing of wind through the tall branches accompany my low humming as we follow the trail between the giant fir and pine trees.
“I messaged Sadie last night. Her view of the Vegas Strip from Everett’s penthouse suite is so pretty. She sounds happy and likeshe’s already enjoying herself. Have you talked to Everett yet?” I try to make small talk with Adelbert while keeping up with his brutally long strides, his long limbs eating up the distance between his home and the school.
Scarcely glancing back at me over his shoulder, his frown is firmly in place before he faces forward again.
“Nothing about anyone’s status has changed since we last saw them. I will contact him when there is a reason to.”
My lips press into a thin line and I give an internal sigh, mentally noting that small talk with Adelbert is fruitless. Or perhaps it’s just the early morning that has him grouchy. I’ll try again when the sun has properly crested the horizon.
I look up and squint my eyes at the dark branches high above to find a particular bird with a beautifully melodious song. My foot snags on an exposed root and I miss my next step. My heart drops into my stomach as I stumble, but before falling down completely, I manage to right myself, pressing a hand to my chest in the hopes that it will calm my racing heart.
“Could you please be more careful? You know I am unable to physically assist you should you injure yourself.” Adelbert’s tone is as stern as his face, his brows scrunched together.
My eyes catch on his fingers splayed open on either side of his hips as if reaching toward me, but he quickly curls them into fists, the veins on the back of his hands popping against his pale ivory skin.
My eyes round. “Sorry, I got distracted.” My voice comes out smaller than I intended and I tuck some hair behind my ear. I don’t know if I feel embarrassed for almost falling, or for drooling over his hands when there are much bigger issues to focus on.
Adelbert’s scowl softens a fraction and he huffs, “For fates’ sake, please don’t apologize. Just… watch your step.” He turnsforward again and, this time, proceeds at a marginally slower pace.
I know Adelbert’s not especially pleased with having a stranger in his home, but unfortunately, neither of us had much say in the situation. And despite his harsh tone, I’ve seen glimpses of his kindness underneath the prickly demeanor.
With that in mind, I try to break the tension with a corny joke.
“What did the horse say after it had tripped?”
Adelbert gives me a sidelong glance but doesn’t reply, so I forge ahead.
“Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t giddy up.”
A laugh bubbles up in my throat, and the twitch at the corner of his mouth doesn’t escape me. I don’t call him out on it, though. Instead, I silently plot which joke will finally crack through his icy demeanor and have him rolling on the floor with laughter.
After covering some distance in semi-companionable silence, Adelbert is the first to speak. “I intend to find the proper resources in the library today so this… ‘bond’ can be resolved as soon as possible. I will gather as many books as we are able to carry back to the house and continue research in my personal study.”
I trace one of the flowers I embroidered on the pocket of my jeans, and ask, “Wouldn’t it be more comfortable and convenient to remain in the school’s main library, though?”
“Of course it would,” Adelbert answers with a bite in his tone. “But it would be difficult to explain the presence of a human on Alberad’s premises.”
My hands fall to my sides and a warm flush crawls across my cheeks. Naturally, Adelbert would’ve thought about all the angles.
Adelbert comes to a stop and turns around to look at me. “Florence,” he sighs out. “There is no record of a human evercrossing Alberad’s wards. Though I am still young at twenty-eight, I have studied the history of my people extensively. As the sole heir to Alberad School for the Supernatural, it is my responsibility to understand the magic of the land. Yet, you seem to defy every rule and law known to me.”
